We don't respect our heroes?

Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, writing after the just-concluded one-day international series between India and Sri Lanka, slammed the Indian cricket officialdom for continuing to overlook deposed India captain Sourav Ganguly for the ongoing series against the Proteas.

'Wish as anyone might, nobody can take away his [Ganguly's] record or the esteem in which he is held worldwide. India must learn to respect its heroes lest they look like pirates, who can only destroy a legacy,' he wrote.

A tennis elbow syndrome forced Ganguly to opt out of the domestic Challenger Trophy as he was advised ten days' rest. Subsequently he was stripped of the captaincy and not included in the team for home series against Sri Lanka on fitness grounds.

Is Ranatunga right in saying that India doesn't respect its heroes? Or has time truly run out for the Prince of Kolkata?